There are 58 comments on the
Columbus Dispatch
story from Jul 9, 2011, titled Pit-bull attack: Dog owner convicted of assault in Hilltop | The Columbus Dispatch.
In it, Columbus Dispatch reports that:

Donald Moore's pit bull attacked a 12-year-old boy in 2010. A boy who was nearly killed in a pit-bull attack on a Hilltop sidewalk last year smiled yesterday after the dog's owner was convicted in Franklin County Common Pleas Court.

<quoted text>Really - there is a distinction between human life and animal life, there just is. So while I get your point, your logic is flawed.

Yes there is a distinction between a human life and an animal life. Yet it is the human here that is so easily ready to eliminate an entire breed of dogs because it does not serve a purpose to someone.

<quoted text>Really - there is a distinction between human life and animal life, there just is. So while I get your point, your logic is flawed.

I believe that person was just writing as a proof-of-principal. You cannot just kill off anything that you believe "server no purpose". By that definition, all house pets should be eliminated too as they really don't serve any specific use.

The Ohio General Assembly is considering legislation that would remove the "vicious" label from the pit bull breed.SERIOUSLY???? What is wrong with our general assembly????? Why don't they just keep worrying about getting their rich friends richers and stay out of trying to ruin the Ohio education system and stay out of encouraging people to get pit bulls by removing the "vicious" label. What happened to "smaller government"?

A "smaller government" would not go around telling people what kind of dog they are allowed to own. I really don't need the government making these decisions for me. I'm an adult, thank you. Pit bulls would be removed from the "vicious dog" label in Ohio because they have not been scientifically proven to be more vicious than the next breed when in the hands of responsible people. All these media stories are great, but that's just what they are: stories. The current scientific data does not support these anecdotes. Truth is, there are over 4.5 million dog bites per year. We just hear about a few per year.

Therefore, the best way to approach this problem is target the irresponsible owners and people who fight dogs and to hit them very hard. This bill would also prohibit convicted felons from owning these types of dogs. This bill will make the consequences much, much more severe for people who want to "rub cocaine" on their dog's gums and set them free.

You have to acknowledge that a "vicious dog" label is hardly a tool to prevent dog bites. That is truly magical thinking if you believe that. If you think this label helps in any way, please enlighten us. There are negative consequences of the label though. Due to this label, insurance companies are very wary in providing liability insurance. So, if a person does get bitten, the state law ensures that they will not receive any compensation.

The Ohio General Assembly is considering legislation that would remove the "vicious" label from the pit bull breed.SERIOUSLY???? What is wrong with our general assembly????? Why don't they just keep worrying about getting their rich friends richers and stay out of trying to ruin the Ohio education system and stay out of encouraging people to get pit bulls by removing the "vicious" label. What happened to "smaller government"?

The Rethug folks in the General Assembly are seriously concerned about American freedoms and liberties. You know, the freedom to let your dog maul and possibly kill another without recourse. What could be more American than that? Apple pie perhaps?

Naturally, they change course when they discuss women. There, they are only interested in taking AWAY freedom and liberty. Women shall NOT have the right to an abortion after 5 weeks.Again, what could be more American than that? Baseball?

I feel bad for the responsible and caring pet owners of Pit Bulls that love and train their dogs. Because of the hidden world of dog fighting exposed in some degree by people like Michael Vick whose dogs of choice seem to be pit bulls the breed has a very bad reputation. Their owners, too. Would you really want neighbors next door with the dogs and would you feel good about letting your own dog/s go out in their own yard--at least to void and run for a few?? If I had a little "ankle bitter" and walking him I would be fearful if we encountered a Pit. I would have to hope that that owner didn't have a "thug" and status driven ego displayed that speaks loudly of "I've got the strongest fearless dog so get the blank out of my way. It's again unfair but check out some of the videos and the music attached. One "tough" image is to have the ladies, hot cars, and the dogs. Would many of the readers want to be walking their babies and come across a Pit? Next time look at some of the folks that own these dogs. I know you really can't size up a person entirely by looks but how responsible do they seem to be?? It's right to not ban the dogs but be very tough on the owners--great until you prepare to pass one. I am a dog and cat lover.

I feel bad for the responsible and caring pet owners of Pit Bulls that love and train their dogs. Because of the hidden world of dog fighting exposed in some degree by people like Michael Vick whose dogs of choice seem to be pit bulls the breed has a very bad reputation. Their owners, too. Would you really want neighbors next door with the dogs and would you feel good about letting your own dog/s go out in their own yard--at least to void and run for a few?? If I had a little "ankle bitter" and walking him I would be fearful if we encountered a Pit. I would have to hope that that owner didn't have a "thug" and status driven ego displayed that speaks loudly of "I've got the strongest fearless dog so get the blank out of my way. It's again unfair but check out some of the videos and the music attached. One "tough" image is to have the ladies, hot cars, and the dogs. Would many of the readers want to be walking their babies and come across a Pit? Next time look at some of the folks that own these dogs. I know you really can't size up a person entirely by looks but how responsible do they seem to be?? It's right to not ban the dogs but be very tough on the owners--great until you prepare to pass one. I am a dog and cat lover.

There are four-five pits in my apartment complex. All of them are incredible friendly and get along great with everyone they encounter. I'm never fearful of any breed of dog unless there is a sign of aggression or they are off-leash with no owner. ALWAYS APPROACH UNKNOWN DOGS WITH CAUTION. Know how to read a dog's body language. Always receive the owners permission before approaching a dog.

In my mom's neighborhood, a neighbor has two chow's. Chow's are known to be VERY possessive and territorial. They have one several occasions come to attack my dog and I on walks. Another neighbor told his kid to go inside and had to run to my aid.

Do I want sanctions on chows? No. Their owners were crap. You know what happened to them? Their dogs were taken away. Fine them and forbid them to have dogs.

You know how people get robbed or otherwise victimized? It's because they're too busy profiling (which is proven to be non effective) to really pay attention to the real dangers around them.

Also, just because you say you're a pet/animal/dog lover doesn't right your little minded ideas on pits.It's like saying "I'm not racist, but you can't trust black people."

In my statements I felt I was giving examples of both sides do this topic--after all this forum comes the story of an irresponsible dog owner who is being sent off to jail while the attacked persons carry the terror and scars from what his dog did.(Did you even read the part about good Pits and their responsible owners?? SOME Pits are bred to be aggressive, sold to make a profit and for status and bragging rights. That is a fact!!! This typw of training to be THE TOP AGGRESSIVE DOG is whatwinns the competition. NOT chows--in the fighting dog dens of the world. There is documented evidence from reports in and out of dog fighting by those folks and others including adults and children attacked. Sure all dogs have teeth but some breeds are more gentle and sociable around people and other animals. You are lucky that you and EVERYONE that encounters your apartment neighbor's Pits are safe! Your above statement is very GENERAL AND DANGEROUS and as far as my "little minded ideas on pits--it is American for your opinion but when you have to use negative adjectives it says something about your mind! I did NOT say ALL Pits--remember that, OK? Racist views do NOT allow the fact that there are always going to be a fringe/antisocial negative group in ANY group or culture--ANY. They make a general statement that applys to ALL of that group. I remain a lover of animals--fair and balanced.(smile)

<quoted text>In my statements I felt I was giving examples of both sides do this topic--after all this forum comes the story of an irresponsible dog owner who is being sent off to jail while the attacked persons carry the terror and scars from what his dog did.(Did you even read the part about good Pits and their responsible owners?? SOME Pits are bred to be aggressive, sold to make a profit and for status and bragging rights. That is a fact!!! This typw of training to be THE TOP AGGRESSIVE DOG is whatwinns the competition. NOT chows--in the fighting dog dens of the world. There is documented evidence from reports in and out of dog fighting by those folks and others including adults and children attacked. Sure all dogs have teeth but some breeds are more gentle and sociable around people and other animals. You are lucky that you and EVERYONE that encounters your apartment neighbor's Pits are safe! Your above statement is very GENERAL AND DANGEROUS and as far as my "little minded ideas on pits--it is American for your opinion but when you have to use negative adjectives it says something about your mind! I did NOT say ALL Pits--remember that, OK? Racist views do NOT allow the fact that there are always going to be a fringe/antisocial negative group in ANY group or culture--ANY. They make a general statement that applys to ALL of that group. I remain a lover of animals--fair and balanced.(smile)

I understand how dog fighting works. However, you're missing the point that getting rid of pit bulls does NOT rid the problem. It won't even making it "better". Yes, some are trained to fight, and yes, they are the most popularly used dogs in dog fighting. This does not make them the ONLY dog used in dog fighting either.

If, say, getting rid of pits did solve the pit bull problem, the people who dog fight or train them to be terrible will MOVE ON TO THE NEXT BREED.

You're making the conclusion with your "fair and balanced" view point that getting rid of pits solve animal abuse and animal attack issues. It doesn't. At all. This is what everyone is failing to see. PIT BULLS ARE NOT THE ISSUE. You even said it yourself, they're trained to attack. Dogs DO NOT and CAN NOT train themselves. You falter over your own "logic".

My example of chows was that OTHER DOG BREEDS ARE EVEN MORE DANGEROUS THAN A PIT and that is COMES DOWN TO THE OWNER. I had a chow mix, she was really sweet but we socialized her properly and never had any issues. Targeting a breed will not fix the problem. It's a very linear way of thinking.

Also, I never SAID all pits are safe. But what I am saying is ANY DOG CAN BE DANGEROUS. It's even more general and dangerous to only be wary of pits.

I've done LOTS AND LOTS of legitimate research on dogs and dog attacks. I know what I'm talking about. I'm not forming an opinion based off what the news feeds me. I'm not using personal experience to justify the elimination of an entire breed of dog.

Also, the quote you quoted of mine wasn't directed at only you. It was towards a majority of the people who have this mindset.

The Ohio General Assembly is considering legislation that would remove the "vicious" label from the pit bull breed.

In all that is goingon in our state and across our nation, our state's elected officials are worrying about this???

Ban this breed of dog and get rid of them in ALL municipal areas of our state. You are not permitted to own farm animals, from chickens to pigs in these city limits, how do you then permit this breed from being allowed???

Get rid of them and do it now, show some leadership and shelf this bill NOW!!!

The Ohio General Assembly is considering legislation that would remove the "vicious" label from the pit bull breed.In all that is goingon in our state and across our nation, our state's elected officials are worrying about this???Ban this breed of dog and get rid of them in ALL municipal areas of our state. You are not permitted to own farm animals, from chickens to pigs in these city limits, how do you then permit this breed from being allowed???Get rid of them and do it now, show some leadership and shelf this bill NOW!!!

Take a Closer Look you should really take a closer look of what you are saying. I recommend knowing before writing.

You are right on one thing that is during these very fiscal times, we cannot afford to continue support archaic laws such as BSL that waste taxpayers' money. Breed specific legislation (BSL) has been proven to be very inefficient and cost ineffective. Laws and government that are inefficient and that waste valuable resources have no place in these hard economical times. It is time to change this current law, stop wasteful government funding, tightening our pursestrings, and use this saved money on more important matters like education and healthcare.

Educate yourself and you can read and learn from the experts such as the ASPCA, AKC, AVMA, etc.

Below is the ASPCA stand on BSL:

"There is no evidence that breed-specific legislation is effective. Cities and countries that have enacted BSL tend to discover that BSL does not result in a decrease in dog bites.BSL is also extremely costly to enforce, which stretches animal control resources thin, thereby reducing animal controls ability to respond to other situations and help a greater number of animals. Conversely, cities that invest in low-cost spay/neuter programs and pass and enforce anti-tethering, dog licensing and at-large/leash laws have seen a decline in dog attacks."

So why not support a law that will be more cost effective like the current proposed HB 14 bill. At least this bill will take tougher measures against the irresponsible owners and hold them liable for their actions.

The reason the current statewide BSL (labeling only pit bulls as "vicious" dogs) does not work is simple because it targets the dogs instead of the irresponsible owners.

<quoted text>I understand how dog fighting works. However, you're missing the point that getting rid of pit bulls does NOT rid the problem. It won't even making it "better". Yes, some are trained to fight, and yes, they are the most popularly used dogs in dog fighting. This does not make them the ONLY dog used in dog fighting either.If, say, getting rid of pits did solve the pit bull problem, the people who dog fight or train them to be terrible will MOVE ON TO THE NEXT BREED.You're making the conclusion with your "fair and balanced" view point that getting rid of pits solve animal abuse and animal attack issues. It doesn't. At all. This is what everyone is failing to see. PIT BULLS ARE NOT THE ISSUE. You even said it yourself, they're trained to attack. Dogs DO NOT and CAN NOT train themselves. You falter over your own "logic".My example of chows was that OTHER DOG BREEDS ARE EVEN MORE DANGEROUS THAN A PIT and that is COMES DOWN TO THE OWNER. I had a chow mix, she was really sweet but we socialized her properly and never had any issues. Targeting a breed will not fix the problem. It's a very linear way of thinking.Also, I never SAID all pits are safe. But what I am saying is ANY DOG CAN BE DANGEROUS. It's even more general and dangerous to only be wary of pits.I've done LOTS AND LOTS of legitimate research on dogs and dog attacks. I know what I'm talking about. I'm not forming an opinion based off what the news feeds me. I'm not using personal experience to justify the elimination of an entire breed of dog.Also, the quote you quoted of mine wasn't directed at only you. It was towards a majority of the people who have this mindset.

Thank God at least someone here is writing objectively. I just don't think I can take anymore self proclaimed animal lovers in this forum anymore. I don't know how you can proclaim yourselves as animal lovers then quickly followed by your support to eliminate an entire breed of dogs base on its appearances, massive media bias, or because it does not serve a purpose to you.

Matt Szollosi is one Democrat that I voted for that I will fight to VOTE OUT for good. He is crazy to try to get rid of the Itbull ban and leaving the state open to a lawsuit by victims. Denver Colorado has had a ban since 1989. It helps the area's tourism and attracts great residents. People need to be protect people and we can't pay taxes for sidwalks and public transportationn we can't use because of these dogs. I know of People who moved here because of our ban. Ban teh breed don't accept the deed. Pitbulls cause more hospitalizations, death and permenent disability than any other breed. Go to www.nonlineardogs.com and see what the scholar, researcher and animal behaviorist says about Pitbulls and other vicious dogs in My NUMBER 30. IN the past month 3 babies have been killed by Pitbulls and a 75 year old Florida vet was killed while innocently gardening in his yard. A San Diago senior citzen lost a leg checking her mail in a pitbull attack. This in intolerable Matt. You get that? You can't bring back legs and lives with a criminal sentence. You can't bring back babies. Ban the BREED, Don't accept the DEED! Incidentally we had a pitbull that was a loved family dog SNAP and attack a family member severely when the dog reached five years old. The dog showed no signs of aggression before. NONE. www.nonlineardogs.com explains how this happens and it can happen to any pitbull owner. We do't allow animals that maul and attack as pets. Pitbulls don't bite they maul and attack so they cannot be allowed as Family dogs with simple dog bite laws. Don't gamble with human life. Seniors that care about the next generation and fellow seniors that are living their final years in pain from pitbull attacks please call Matt Szollosi and your state reps and keep the ban on PItbulls intact. Go to www.dogsbite.org and see all the kids that have died or worse from a pitbull atack. UNACCEPTABLE.

[ we cannot afford to continue support archaic laws such as BSL that waste taxpayers' money. Breed specific legislation (BSL) has been proven to be very inefficient and cost ineffective.(THIS IS A LIE!!!!!! Breed specific laws work!) ASPA and other groups jsut held a Candlight vigil for the DOG that killed a 6 month old Chesterfield Va baby. This evil cult had no respect or concern for the DEAD BABY? PROTECTING HUMANS from this dangerous cult of denyers is important. Denver Colorado has had a successful ban that has been upheld in court and as the breed becomes less populated the bans become more effective. Bans in many cities have reduced pitbull attacks effectively. Breed Specific Laws do work. Council Bluffs Iowa had Pitbulls accounting for 25 percent of all dog bite calls in 2004. In 2005 a ban on the breed was passed. By 2010 teh number of pitbull attacks was down to ZERO. ZERO attacks by pitbull is a very effective ban. IN addition, states and municipalities are being sued by victims of pitbulls and Pitbull kennel clubs that have tried to sue and overturn Pitbull bans have lost and had to pay all legal fees of governing bodies. PITBULL Bans take time to bring down the attacks and they need to be strongly written. Strengthen the ban don't weaken it. Protecting human life is NOT A WASTE OF TAX PAYER Money. BAN THE BREED DON"T ACCEPT the DEED. You can not bring back the dead or put limbs back on. I moved to Ohio to get away from the Pitbulls. I am fighting back and I want the ban strengthened. Breed specific laws work.

Ban this breed of dog and get rid of them in ALL municipal areas of our state. You are not permitted to own farm animals, from chickens to pigs in these city limits, how do you then permit this breed from being allowed???

Get rid of them and do it now, show some leadership and shelf this bill NOW.

I agree with the post above. Go to www.nonlineardogs.com and see what the animal behavorists and scholar says about Pitbulls and dangerous breeds under Myth number 30. it explains exactly how these "family dogs" turn and why. See MODEL Dog Legislation at www.dogsbite.org for how to make the ban work better and see that the bans are effective.

Ban this breed of dog and get rid of them in ALL municipal areas of our state. You are not permitted to own farm animals, from chickens to pigs in these city limits, how do you then permit this breed from being allowed???Get rid of them and do it now, show some leadership and shelf this bill NOW.I agree with the post above. Go to www.nonlineardogs.com and see what the animal behavorists and scholar says about Pitbulls and dangerous breeds under Myth number 30. it explains exactly how these "family dogs" turn and why. See MODEL Dog Legislation at www.dogsbite.org for how to make the ban work better and see that the bans are effective.

Why do you keep citing this www.nonlineardogs.com . This is a commercial website where someone is trying to sell their book. Hardly what I would call scientific as books are not peer-reviewed publications. Anyone can write and sell a book. Are you sure you do not get any financial benefit for desperately promoting this book?

Matt Szollosi is one Democrat that I voted for that I will fight to VOTE OUT for good. He is crazy to try to get rid of the Itbull ban and leaving the state open to a lawsuit by victims. Denver Colorado has had a ban since 1989. It helps the area's tourism and attracts great residents.

During the 12 year period from 1995 (Denver passed their ban in 1989) and 2006, Denver experienced 273 dog-related hospitalizations.

During the same time period, Boulder Colorado experienced only 46 such incidents.

Denver's population (roughly 588,000) while Boulder's metro statistical area has a population of (288,000). So Denver, in spite of its breed ban (or possibly because of it) has had 6x the number of hospitalizations compared to Boulder, in spite of having only double the population. Not good.

Since 2005, Denver has killed well over 1,600 pit bulls because of their ban.

When asked about whether Denver residents were any safer because of the ban, Doug Kelley, the Director of Denver Animal Control, couldn't really give a solid answer:

"It's a hard question to answer," said Kelly. "We have not had a severe mauling or fatality involving a pit bull since its gone into effect. But then again, we continue to get more pit bulls every year...it depends on how you define success."

Denver is still getting more and more pit bulls in the community.

They have a higher dog bite rate than neighboring Boulder

They have not decreased the total number of dog bites

Lastly, are you sure the pit bull ban help's the area tourism and attracts great residents? States like California and Maine for examples have statewide laws prohibiting BSL also attract many great residents and tourism.

[ we cannot afford to continue support archaic laws such as BSL that waste taxpayers' money. Breed specific legislation (BSL) has been proven to be very inefficient and cost ineffective.(THIS IS A LIE!!!!!! Breed specific laws work!) ASPA and other groups jsut held a Candlight vigil for the DOG that killed a 6 month oldChesterfield Va baby. This evil cult had no respect or concern for the DEAD BABY? PROTECTING HUMANS from this dangerous cult of denyers is important. Denver Colorado has had a successful ban that has been upheld in court and as the breed becomes less populated the bans become more effective. Bans in many cities have reduced pitbull attacks effectively. Breed Specific Laws do work. Council Bluffs Iowa had Pitbulls accounting for 25 percent of all dog bite calls in 2004. In 2005 a ban on the breed was passed. By 2010 teh number of pitbull attacks was down to ZERO. ZERO attacks by pitbull is a very effective ban. IN addition, states and municipalities are being sued by victims of pitbulls and Pitbull kennel clubs that have tried to sue and overturn Pitbull bans have lost and had to pay all legal fees of governing bodies. PITBULL Bans take time to bring down the attacks and they need to be strongly written. Strengthen the ban don't weaken it. Protecting human life is NOT A WASTE OF TAX PAYER Money. BAN THE BREED DON"T ACCEPT the DEED. You can not bring back the dead or put limbs back on.I moved to Ohio to get away from the Pitbulls. I am fighting back and I want the ban strengthened. Breed specific laws work.

That's great there has been 0 PIT BULL ATTACKS. Great for the breed because there are still pits in the area.

Sorry, I digressed. So, how many people were attached that year by other breeds? Because guess what? Something tells me there were still attack victims.

Again, learn to analysis data...and also how to use your "return" or "enter" bar.

And again, 25% is a great number because it tells you NOTHING. If there were 100 dog bites, then only 25 people were victimized by a pit. So, idk, I'm fearing more being in a car accident than being attacked by a dog.

Ban this breed of dog and get rid of them in ALL municipal areas of our state. You are not permitted to own farm animals, from chickens to pigs in these city limits, how do you then permit this breed from being allowed???Get rid of them and do it now, show some leadership and shelf this bill NOW.I agree with the post above. Go to www.nonlineardogs.com and see what the animal behavorists and scholar says about Pitbulls and dangerous breeds under Myth number 30. it explains exactly how these "family dogs" turn and why. See MODEL Dog Legislation at www.dogsbite.org for how to make the ban work better and see that the bans are effective.

Funny that you quote dogbites.com , which redirects you to nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com , when they have this:http://www.nationalcanineresearchcouncil.com/...Which tells you what BSL is ineffective."Breed specific laws (also called breed discriminatory laws), in addition to the kinds of problems described above, do not to produce the the intended result, which is a reduction in dog-bite injuries. For more on this important topic read:"(then there is a list outlining why it doesn't work).So, Mary. Thanks for providing a great link to prove to us anti-BSL people's point.(which also goes into to explain you can't judge and base laws to help prevent dog bites/attacks solely off of breed, there are far too many other factors involved.)Also on the site:"Dog bite-related human fatalities have always been exceedingly rare, yet they can attract the kind of publicity that creates an impression that they are more prevalent than they actually are. The annual total of such fatalities has risen and fallen with no discernible pattern or trend, even though the US canine population has continued its steady increase."

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